7 Signs that help you test for mold in your apartment?
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An apartment is your personal space that grants you the right to enjoy a healthy, comfortable life. If your apartment does not do justice to your health, wellbeing, and comfort, immediate actions are needed. Regular cough, sneezing, or allergies may show polluted air caused by mold or mildew. Mold is present in the atmosphere naturally in small quantities. But if these molds exceed the normal levels, it can be detrimental to your health and property.
That’s why it is essential to investigate the presence of molds or mildew to prevent a future problem. Although seeking help from professionals is the best thing to do, but you must analyze if your apartment has ingrown molds or not.
What is the big deal about mold testing?
Most people overlook minor signs of mold infestation in the initial stages. Once the molds have completely deteriorated the air quality of the apartment is when they realize that things have gotten out of hand. Similar to any other toxin, molds have mycotoxins that stay in the air. These mycotoxins can negatively impact the air you breathe in. Moreover, molds can also grow on your furniture, land, sinks, pipes, doors, etc. It is always better to take preliminary steps to prevent negative aftereffects that molds can cause to you and your environment.
Here are seven early signs of dense mold growth on your property. Keep a check on these mold essentials, and you will know when to take emergency steps.
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Allergic symptoms:
Mold exists indoor and outdoor surroundings naturally. If the mold propagation exceeds the normal quantity, it may kick start several allergies. Sneezing, runny nose, redness, rashes, and sinusitis commonly occur after interacting with molds. The impact of molds appears when inhaled or touched by the inhabitants. If you feel any of these sicknesses, you should immediately seek expert opinion and wear a mask to protect yourself temporarily from the damage. You may also seek a physician’s advice in cases of extreme allergic reactions.
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Consistent headaches:
Molds can pollute the air quality by propagating spores in the atmosphere. These spores contain mycotoxins that can cause headaches and short-term memory loss. If the mold population persists above the average desirable levels, it can cause permanent memory loss, persistent headaches, and even nausea. Such conditions can negatively impact everyone alike, especially youngsters and the elderly.
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Water intrusion:
Moisture provides the best space for growth to all fungal infections. Mold and mildew can grow well and push out more spores in a moist environment. Therefore, you must keep a check on water intrusions on your property in the form of leakage, broken pipes, dripping sink, or constant rain seepage. All these water sources provide the right environment for molds and mildew and assist in their growth.
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Humidity:
Humidity is the perfect factor for mold growth and propagation. Molds grow in humid climatic regions. If your apartment is internally heated or if the environment is hot and humid around you, there are many chances that molds are hiding somewhere.
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Uncleaned, dark spaces:
Mold often grows in dark, unclean locations where the sun does not reach. So, you may find molds propagating in your unused room, store, attic, cupboard, or garage. It is always wise to let the air into the dark spaces and clean them as regularly as possible.
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Mushy odor:
The most obvious sign of mold presence is an earthy smell that lingers in the house. Molds have a mushy smell that always exists; however, it appears when the level of their growth has exceeded the standard limit. This mushy smell indicates that mold spores have spread in your apartment, and you need immediate help.
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Greenish black spots:
The greenish-black spots that appear on your old furniture or wall are the signs of mold growth. Molds have a dirty green color that is prominent when they grow beyond a limit. Sometimes the mold also turns black, which must also be recognized as mold-ingrowth.
What to do after detecting the signs of mold growth in your apartment?
A lot of people try removing the molds by themselves. Although they might clean some part of it, it is impossible to remove the molds completely. Furthermore, unprofessional mold remediation may lack the ideal solutions to prevent the potential harms of mold infestation. The immediate step for detecting molds is calling a professional mold remediation company for professional help.
Even if you are 100% sure about mold growth, you must call the experts to seek emergency solutions. Getting mold remediation services is not an expense but an investment since it allows you to save yourself, your loved ones, and your property from damage. Moreover, some mold species are so harmful that they can even cause death, like black mold.
Take immediate steps to save your apartment and be swift to identify these signs appearing in your apartment.